Cushoning conversion machine

Abstract

A cushioning conversion machine for converting a sheet-like stock material into cushioning products is provided. The machine includes an outlet extension which forms a continuous passageway for the cushioning products from the machine outlet to an appropriate exit location. The outlet extension is coupled to the outlet in such a manner that it is selectively adjustable relative to the outlet to provide for a plurality of exit locations for the cushioning products.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cushioning conversion machine for converting a sheet stock material into cushioning products, said machine comprising: a frame including an upstream end and a downstream end;   a conversion assembly, mounted to the frame, which converts such sheet stock material into a three-dimensional strip of dunnage;   a stock supply assembly, positioned upstream of the conversion assembly, which supplies the sheet stock material to the conversion assembly;   a separating assembly, positioned downstream of the conversion assembly, which separates the strip of dunnage into cushioning products of a desired length;   an outlet guide, mounted with respect to the frame downstream of the separating assembly, through which the cushioning products emerge; and   an outlet extension, positioned downstream of the outlet guide, which forms a continuous passageway for the cushioning products from the outlet guide to an exit location, the outlet extension being coupled to the outlet guide in such a manner that it is selectively adjustable relative to the outlet guide to provide for a plurality of exit locations for the cushioning products.   
     
     
       2. A cushioning conversion machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the outlet extension is pivotally coupled to the outlet guide. 
     
     
       3. A cushioning conversion machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the outlet extension is selectively adjustable between a first upward position and a second downward position. 
     
     
       4. A cushioning conversion machine as set forth in any of claims 1-3 wherein the outlet extension comprises a chute and coupling components which couple the chute to the machine's outlet guide. 
     
     
       5. A cushioning conversion machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein the chute is curved. 
     
     
       6. A cushioning conversion machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the machine's outlet guide comprises a tunnel-shaped member. 
     
     
       7. A cushioning conversion machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the conversion assembly includes: a forming assembly which forms the sheet stock material into the three-dimensional strip of dunnage; and   a feed assembly which advances the sheet stock material through the forming assembly.   
     
     
       8. A cushioning conversion machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein the feed assembly is mounted to the frame downstream of the forming assembly and pulls the stock material through the forming assembly. 
     
     
       9. A cushioning conversion machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein the feed assembly also connects the continuous strip of dunnage. 
     
     
       10. A cushioning conversion machine as set forth in claim 9 wherein the feed assembly comprises a pair of gears. 
     
     
       11. A cushioning conversion machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the separating assembly comprises a cutting assembly which cuts the strip of dunnage into sections of a desired length. 
     
     
       12. A cushioning conversion machine as set forth in claim 11 wherein the cutting assembly is mounted to the machine's frame. 
     
     
       13. A cushioning conversion machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein the stock supply assembly is mounted to the machine's frame. 
     
     
       14. A method of making cushioning products, said method comprising the steps of: providing a sheet stock material;   adjusting an outlet extension of a cushioning conversion machine to provide for one of a plurality exit locations for the cushioning products, the cushioning conversion machine also comprising a frame including an upstream end and a downstream end, a conversion assembly, mounted to the frame, which converts the stock material into a three-dimensional strip of dunnage, a stock supply assembly, positioned upstream of the conversion assembly, which supplies the sheet stock material to the conversion assembly, a separating assembly, positioned downstream of the conversion assembly, which separates the strip of dunnage into cushioning products of a desired length, and an outlet guide, positioned downstream of the separating assembly, through which the cushioning products emerge, wherein an outlet extension is mounted with respect to the frame downstream of the outlet guide, forms a continuous passageway for the cushioning products from the outlet guide to an exit location, and is coupled to the outlet guide in such a manner that it is selectively adjustable relative to the outlet guide to provide for the plurality of exit locations for the cushioning products;   using the cushioning conversion machine to convert the stock material into the cushioning products which are exited to the one exit location;   readjusting the outlet extension to another one of the plurality of exit locations; and   using the cushioning conversion machine to convert the stock material into the cushioning products which are exited at the other exit location.   
     
     
       15. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein said step of providing the sheet stock material comprises providing sheet stock material that is biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable. 
     
     
       16. A method as set forth in claim 15 wherein said step of providing the sheet stock material comprises the step of providing sheet stock material that is Kraft paper. 
     
     
       17. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said step of providing the sheet stock material comprises the step of providing sheet stock material that comprises multiple plies of Kraft paper. 
     
     
       18. A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said step of providing sheet stock material comprises the step of providing sheet-like stock material that comprises a roll of three superimposed plies of Kraft paper. 
     
     
       19. A cushioning conversion machine for converting stock material into cushioning products, said machine comprising: a conversion assembly which converts the stock material into cushioning products;   an outlet guide, positioned downstream of the conversion assembly, through which the cushioning products emerge; and   an outlet extension, positioned downstream of the outlet guide, which forms a continuous passageway for the cushioning products from the outlet guide to an exit location, the outlet extension being mounted to the outlet guide in such a manner that it is selectively adjustable relative to the outlet guide to provide for a plurality of exit locations for the cushioning products.   
     
     
       20. A method of making cushioning products, said method comprising the steps of: supplying a stock material to a cushioning conversion machine comprising a conversion assembly which converts the stock material into cushioning products, an outlet guide, positioned downstream of the conversion assembly, through which the cushioning products emerge, and a cushioning conversion machine outlet extension, positioned downstream of the outlet guide, which forms a continuous passageway for the cushioning products from the outlet guide to an exit location, the outlet extension being mounted to the outlet guide in such a manner that it is selectively adjustable relative to the outlet guide to provide for a plurality of exit locations for the cushioning products;   adjusting the outlet extension to one of the plurality exit locations for the cushioning products;   using the cushioning conversion machine to convert the stock material into cushioning products which emerge through the outlet guide and which pass through the outlet extension to said one of the plurality of exit locations;   readjusting the outlet extension to another one of the plurality of exit locations for the cushioning products; and   using the cushioning conversion machine to convert the stock material into cushioning products which emerge through the outlet guide and which pass through the outlet extension to said other one of the plurality of exit locations.